Cinematographic broad screen recording and projection method and a film cartridge for carrying out the method

ABSTRACT

A cartridge for unsplit double track film has the supply core and take-up core arranged to slide in guides automatically without a positive drive. A roller is journalled at the corner of the housing adjacent the take-up core to support the film coil on the winding core irrespective of the coil diameter. The wound film lifts itself over the roller in the guide and presses the core of the supply coil back automatically.

United States Patent Stiss [4 1 4 Aug. 29, 1972 CINEMATOGRAPHIC BROADSCREEN RECORDING AND PROJECTION METHOD AND A FILM CARTRIDGE FOR CARRYINGOUT THE METHOD Manfred Siiss, Munich, Germany Assignee: Kinag GmbH, Zug,Switzerland Filed: June 16, 1970 Appl. No.: 46,627

Inventor:

Foreign Application Priority Data June 23, 1969 Germany ..P 19 31 828.6Feb. 5, 1970 Germany ..P 20 05 251.1

US. Cl. ..352/78 R, 352/239 Int. Cl. ..G03b 23/02 Field of Search..352/239, 240, 241, 78, 37,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,537,780 11/1970 Angenieux..352/78 3,537,779 ll/l970 Horvath ..352/78 FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 1,079,409 11/1954 France ..352/239 Primary Examiner--LouisR. Prince Assistant ExaminerJoseph W. Roskos AttorneyOstrolenk, Faber,Gerb & Soffen [5 7] ABSTRACT A cartridge for unsplit double track filmhas the supply core and take-up core arranged to slide in guidesautomatically without a positive drive. A roller is journalled at thecorner of the housing adjacent the I take-up core to support the filmcoil on the winding core irrespective of the coil diameter. The woundfilm lifts itself over the roller in the guide and presses the core ofthe supply coil back automatically.

2 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PAIiNnmucza m2 SHEET 3 [IF 6 CINEMATOGRAPHICBROAD SCREEN RECORDING AND PROJECTION METHOD AND A FILM CARTRIDGE FORCARRYING OUT THE METHOD BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field to WhichInvention Relates The invention relates to cinematographic broad screenrecording and projecting methods, more particularly but not exclusivelyfor cin films as used by amateurs.

2. The Prior Art While formerly the normal height-side ratio of 1:2 wasexclusively used for the picture format of cinematographic series ofpictures, there has been recently a trend, more particularly for thepurpose of improving the visual stereoscopic effect, to project broadscreen pictures whose breadth dimensions are substantially increasedwith respect to the normal format. Thus for example in the case of a 35mm standard film a picture size of 12.6 20.9 mm is conventional so thatthere is a ratio of 1:1.66. In the case of this broad screen method andin the case of all other known projection methods, in which with anormal film transport step the corresponding heigth and breadth ratio issimply obtained by using a suitable dimensioned picture opening, thereis necessarily a poor use of the film which is available. In order tomake better use of the normal film format available for broad screenprojection there has been a proposal to compress and expand the imagerespectively on recording and projection using anamorphotic systems.This, however, requires the use of expensive optical systems for filmingand reproduction. For the cin film sector this method, known as thecinemascope method could not be of any practical application because thegrain structure of the film in the case of the small film surfacesavailable no compressing is possible without an elliptical distortion inone dimension on projection. In the case of amateur cin films, which arepractically all of 8mm breadth at the present time, however, a reductionof the picture height (in extreme cases for as much as 50 percent)cannot be considered on the one hand because of wastage of film and onthe other hand owing to the relatively small projection format which canbe achieved. Furthermore neither in the case of normal standard film norin the case of cin film has it been possible to introduce systems inwhich for a better exploitation of the film format in the breadthdirection the picture surface is broadened out as far as the perforatededge, in which case the perforations would either come in the middle orlaterally between two picture areas. Apart from the picture spacingnecessary owing to the perforations and the wastage of film due to this,the methods required projection and recording apparatus and method stepswhich were not compatible with conventional methods so that they foundno acceptance in practice. I

In accordance with a further prior proposal broad screen pictures orpanorama images were to be produced in such a manner that eachindividual image of a recorded scene had a format on the film which wastwice the size of a standard image. In this case two succeeding pictureareas were combined to form a single broad screen image or picture whoseheight corresponds to the breadth of a normal picture and whose breadthcorresponds to twice the height (with the addition of conventionalfilming and projecting apparatus that it has not been able to find anyacceptance in practice.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The invention is based on such a cinematographicbroad screen recording or filming and projecting method in which twoadjacent picture areas of the film are simultaneously exposed andprojected respectively.

One aim of the invention is to modify a cinematographic method of thelast mentioned type, in which two adjacent image areas of the film aresimultaneously exposed and projected, in such a manner that withoutchanging from the normal transport step and without turning of the imagea broad screen image or picture can be produced and projected.

In accordance with the invention this aim is attained in the case of acinematographic broad screen method of the above-mentioned type in thata double track film is used on which laterally adjacent picture areasdisposed transversely to in the direction of travel of the film areexposed simultaneously during a normal film transport step and in thatduring the reproduction of the unsplit double track film broad screenimages are projected using the aforementioned adjacent areas during asingle film transport step.

The term double track film is to be taken to mean such a film which inaccordance with its purpose is provided during filming with two adjacentrows of images and is split in the middle so that during projection onlythe perforation row of one edge is available for transport. Thebest-known example of such a double track film is the double 8 film 16mm film with two sets of perforations) as has been used exclusively forsome time for amateur purposes. The super 8 films are also capable ofbeing used in the method in accordance with the invention, if the filmsare obtained, instead of using the normal manner, by splitting a doubletrack film". Finally the invention is also capable of being used forexample for 35 mm double track film which when split yields two 17.5super films.

The use in accordance with the invention of such double track filmsmakes it possible, while only making a relatively slight alteration inthe filming and projecting apparatus available, to obtain the desiredbroad screen projection, by exposing two series of pictures in a doubletrack width in the film camera, these series of pictures beingconventionally arranged so as to run in opposite directions, theprojecting apparatus again making a projection of the double trackwidth.

As compared with the above-mentioned method, in which two film areasadjacent to each other in the film travel direction are combined to forma single image, the invention furthermore has the advantage of a broaderformat, because in accordance with the invention two adjacent images ofstandard format are combined to form a broad screen format, that is tosay the breadth of the image is double that of the normal breadth, whilethe height is equal to the height of a normal image.

Since the modifications of the filming and projecting apparatusnecessary for carrying out the method are relatively simple, thewell-established normal-double- 8-method and the double-super-8-method-metho come into consideration for the method in accordance with theinvention, more especially, because most forms of apparatus function inaccordance with these methods.

In manufacture the design of the apparatus need only be changedslightly. In the case of the camera the film mask and objective, andpossibly also the sector shutter only need to be changed, while in thecase of the projector the film guiding arrangement must additionally bemade broader. In this case the construction can at the outset be made insuch a manner that it is possible to work selectively with a broadscreen format or with a normal format.

Since in accordance with the method in accordance with the invention theseries of images are joined together directly while leaving anintermediate space necessary for overlap, the surface of the film whichis available is completely used. Neither in the case of the film cameranor in the case of the projector do changes have to be made as regardsthe transport step.

Furthermore the invention has the aim of making the cinematographicrecording method also applicable for film cameras which are made for thesuper-S-method, that is to say are designed for use with cartridgeswhich have a square shape and in which the supply core and the take-upcore lie on a single axis in two planes and the film runs from one planeto the other and passes the picture opening.

In accordance with the invention this aim is achieved in that thecartridge in its external dimensions and in the functional elementsco-operating with the cinematographic apparatus corresponds to standardcartridges (more particularly super-Scartridges), which have a filmperforated on one side which is taken up on two coaxial winding coreswhich are arranged inside the cartridge in a plane laterally adjacentand carry a double track film, the film image opening and film gateextending over the whole breadth of the double track film between theseperforated edges.

Accordingly the invention is based on the realization that thefunctional elements of cinematographic camera, which in accordance withthe purpose in view, bring about the transport of a film withperforations on one side, can be used also for the transport of unsplitdouble track film without any modification if the eassette has asuitable construction. Super-8-cartridges are suitable because owing tothe normally coaxial arrangement of the winding cores within the housingthe space is left for a film which is twice as broad. However, theinvention is primarily directed to the super-8- method, although the useof the invention for other formats or cartridges can be considered inwhich conditions are similar.

' The invention is also not only suitable for cartridges in cameras, butalso for cartridges for projectors.

In the application of the invention for conventional super-8-cartridges,and also in the case of the other formats, difficulties may occur in thecase of the accommodation of a certain length of film. Both the take-upcore and also the supply core must be arranged at a certain distancefrom the maximum winding radius of the cartridge housing. In order nowin the case of the given housing dimensions of the cartridge toaccommodate a double track film length in the cassette, whichcorresponds to the film length of a film perforated on one side asotherwise used in such a cartridge, there is the arrangement inaccordance with the invention such that the winding cores are arrangedso as to slide in guides and that the winding cores are connected via adrive with a drive hub mounted in the cartridge. This mounting in thecartridge of the drive hub corresponds in size, shape and arrangement tothe hub of the takeup -core used as above indicated in conventionalsuper S-cartridges. Owing to the construction of the winding cores so asto slide in the guide an excellent use of the space is made possiblebecause with this feature the mutual spacing of the winding cores andthe spacing from the housing is achieved in accordance with the windingdiameter.

This type of coil or bobbin guidance is not limited to application inthe case of super-8-cassettes, but may also be used in accordance withthe invention with moving spool cores, including those for filmperforated on one side.

A particularly suitable arrangement is achieved in the case of adiagonal guidance of the winding cores within the substantially squarehousing of a super-8- cartridge or cassette. It is then possible also toaccommodate a double track film of approximately 15 meters in length insuch a cartridge and this corresponds to the length of a super-8-filmarranged for the purpose in view in such a cartridge.

The shifting of the winding cores in their guide means occursconveniently automatically without a positive drive. In accordance witha preferred embodiment of the invention a roller is joumalled at thecorner of the housing associated with the take-up core in such a mannerthat the roller supports the film coil on the winding core irrespectiveof the coil diameter so that the film does not come into contact withthe walls of the housing. In this manner the wound film lifts itselfover the roller automatically in the guide means and presses the core ofthe supply coil back automatically so that the contact of the film stripon the coils is barred, because the winding cores are arranged at afixed distance on a slide. As a drive between the drive hub and thetake-up core it is possible to make use of a simple wheel drive with awheel or gear wheel journalled so that its axis can move, the axis ofthe last mentioned wheel running in a positive guiding means.

LIST OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS In what follows the invention will beexplained with reference to embodiments of it shown in the drawing.

FIG. 1 is a film section of an exposed double-8-film.

FIG. 2 is a film segment of an exposed super-8-film.

FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded representation of the cartridge withthe lid removed.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrammatic inner views of the cartridge or cassettein accordance with the invention with the film coil arrangement beforeexposure and after exposure respectively.

FIG. 6 is an inner view of the housing.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 and 2 indicate that theindividual images I extend over the whole breadth of the film so as tocome close to the lateral perforations 2. In the vertical direction theimages 1 run through one transport step and leave between them unexposedgaps 3 which correspond in breadth to the breadth of the usualintermediate space or gap.

In the case of double-standard-S-films the image breadth available isabout mm and the height about 3.7 mm so that there is a height-breadthratio of approximately 122.8.

In the case of double-super-films the corresponding data areapproximately as follows:

Image breadth 12.5

Image height 4.1

Height-breadth ratio 1 23.1

FIGS. 3 to 9 show a film cartridge or cassette suitable for carrying outthe exposing method.

As can be seen more particularly from FIGS. 3 to 6, a slide 12 isarranged within the cassette or cartridge housing 10 so that it can bemoved or shifted along the diagonal 13. The slide 12 carries the core 14of the film supply and the core 16, on which the film is taken up. Thefilm 18 running from the supply coil firstly passes over a guide roller20, then over a connecting part 22 ahead of the picture gate 24 and fromthence runs over a guide roll 26 towards the take-up core 16.

In the left-hand lower housing corner shown in FIG. 6 a roller 28 isjournalled which bears against the film coil as it increases indiameter. This causes the slide 12 to be displaced upwards along thediagonal 13 against the force which the film guided by the roller exertson the slide. FIG. 4 shows diagrammatically winding of the film forexposure and FIG. 5 shows the arrangement after completion of exposure.

In the right-hand lower comer shown in FIG. 6 the slide guidingmeans 30can be fixed positively in position. The upper corner on the left-handside shown in FIG. 6 is included in the slide guiding means 32. Thelatter carries the bearing pin 34 for the guide roller 20. The guideroller 26 is placed on a pin 36 fixed in the housing 10. The pressingroller 28 is mounted on a pin 38. The bottom of the housing has in aconventional manner a hole 40 through which the bobbin drive extends andhas a flat disc whose part of greater diameter lying within the housinghas teeth. The teeth of the disc 42 mesh with a gear wheel 44 whosecarrying pin is supported by a curved slot 46 in the housing bottom onthe one hand and a curved slot 48, approximately perpendicular to it, inthe carriage of the slide 12 on the other hand. This gear wheel 44 isconstantly in mesh with a gear ring on the take-up core 16, which ismounted in a fixed manner in the slide 12. The core 14 of the supplycoil is mounted on the slide 12 with a fixed distance from the core 16of the coil to be wound up. The slide has parallel sliding faces 50 and52 which can slide between the slide guiding means 30 and 32 in thehousmg.

As can be seen from FIG. 3, the front wall has an opening 54 extendingover the whole film breadth, behind which the film gate 24 lies, andthrough which the claw system of the film camera extends. These filmtransport parts draw off the film from the supply C01] and move it pastthe film gate. The despooling mechanism of the camera engages the disc42 arranged in the opening 40 and the disc 42 turns the take-up core 16via the gear wheel 44. Owing to the increasing coil diameter the slide12 is moved upwards by the roller 28 in the slide guide means 32,30along the diagonal 13, the slot guide means 46,48 guiding the pin onwhich the gear wheel 44 is journalled in such a manner that it alwaysremains in connection with the wheels 42 and 16.

I claim:

1. A cartridge for carrying and transporting elongated cinematographicfilm, or the like, comprising:

a housing with enclosing side walls;

a slide guide means in said housing for guiding shifting of a slide;

a slide, supporting a supply core for supplying film and supporting atake-up core, spaced away from the supply core, for taking up thesupplied film;

said slide being movable through said housing along said slide guidemeans between a first position where said take-up core is nearer to onesaid housing enclosing side wall and said supply core is further fromanother said housing enclosing side wall and a second position wheresaid take-up core is further from said one said housing enclosing sidewall and said supply core is nearer to said another said housingenclosing side wall;

said housing fixedly supporting a bearing element which is positionednear the one said housing side wall to bear against the film on saidtake-up core as the film reeling on said take-up core increases indiameter, thereby to cause said slide to move from said first towardsaid second position.

2. The cartridge of claim 1, further comprising:

a drive means connected with said take-up core to drive said take-upcore; said drive means including a drive gear;

said take-up core including a hub which meshes with said drive gear;said drive gear being supported by a pin extending through a slot insaid housing and through a separate slot in said slide; said slots eachbeing curved and intersecting substantially perpendicularly to eachother to guide shifting of said drive gear pin as said slide moves.

1. A cartridge for carrying and transporting elongated cinematographicfilm, or the like, comprising: a housing with enclosing side walls; aslide guide means in said housing for guiding shifting of a slide; aslide, supporting a supply core for supplying film and supporting atake-up core, spaced away from the supply core, for taking up thesupplied film; said slide being movable through said housing along saidslide guide means between a first position where said take-up core isnearer to one said housing enclosing side wall and said supply core isfurther from another said housing enclosing side wall and a secondposition where said take-up core is further from said one said housingenclosing side wall and said supply core is nearer to said another saidhousing enclosing side wall; said housing fixedly supporting a bearingelement which is positioned near the one said housing side wall to bearagainst the film on said take-up core as the film reeling on said takeupcore increases in diameter, thereby to cause said slide to move fromsaid first toward said second position.
 2. The cartridge of claim 1,further comprising: a drive means connected with said take-up core todrive said take-up core; said drive means including a drive gear; saidtake-up core including a hub which meshes with said drive gear; saiddrive gear being supported by a pin extending through a slot in saidhousing and through a separate slot in said slide; said slots each beingcurved and intersecting substantially perpendicularly to each other toguide shifting of said drive gear pin as said slide moves.